College Football Playoff scores: Ohio State blows out Oregon in Rose Bowl; Texas hangs on to beat ASU in Peach Bowl
Three teams have booked their tickets to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Who will be the fourth?
Penn State got the quarterfinals started Tuesday with a 31-14 win over Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Texas joined PSU in the semifinals Wednesday afternoon with a dramatic double-overtime win over Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. Then Ohio State throttled Oregon from the opening moments of the Rose Bowl in a blowout win.
The final game of the quarterfinals — the Sugar Bowl showdown between Georgia and Notre Dame — was postponed to Thursday after a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans in the early hours of Jan. 1 left at least 10 dead and dozens of others injured.
Catch up on everything that happened Wednesday below.
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- Yahoo Sports Staff
Marcus Freeman after the Sugar Bowl about being one of two Black coaches competing in the Orange Bowl semifinal:
"Your color shouldn’t matter. Your evidence of your work should." https://t.co/wteh8wHzJz— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 3, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Kirby Smart complains about Notre Dame's punt substitution play
"It's really unfortunate because I've been told by our head officials in the SEC you can't do that... you can't run 11 on and 11 off."
Kirby Smart addresses the substitutions made that caused the offside penalty against Georgia late in the game ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/gGivrKbPTM— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 3, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Ohio State dominates Oregon
Ohio State overwhelmed No. 1 Oregon from the start in a lopsided Rose Bowl win. Next up for the Buckeyes: a CFP semifinal matchup vs. Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10.
Here's Nick Bromberg's full recap of Ohio State's win.
Ryan Day and Ohio State take care of business 😤 pic.twitter.com/f2DDF42Onx
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 2, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Dillon Gabriel makes history
With his last TD pass, Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel has tied Case Keenum for the most TD passes in FBS history (155). Likely cold comfort for Gabriel in an ugly loss.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
The iconic sunset
Hey, the game might not be competitive but nothing beats the 4th quarter Rose Bowl sunset.
The most iconic sunset in football 🌅#B1GFootball x #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/iO0Dp6CJow
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) January 2, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Touchdown Oregon
Dillon Gabriel throws a 27-yard strike to Traeshon Holden for the score. The 2-point try is no good.
Ohio State 41, Oregon 21
TRAESHON HOLDEN TOUCHDOWN‼️
This throw by Dillon Gabriel tied Case Keenum for most career pass TDs in FBS history 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nbVljhxKGy— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 2, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
End of 3rd quarter
Ohio State forces another Oregon punt and the last 15 minutes of this one seems like a formality.
Buckeyes very close to punching their CFP semifinal ticket.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Ohio State touchdown!
TreVeyon Henderson barrels through for an 8-yard touchdown run, and the Buckeyes are very much still in control. Big answer for OSU.
Ohio State 41, Oregon 15
✌️ for 3⃣2⃣#CFBPlayoff • #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/Px2onaSSen
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) January 2, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Oregon goes nowhere
Dillon Gabriel is sacked twice in a row and the Ducks quickly punt it away.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
OSU goes 3-and-out
The Oregon defense gets a big stop and just like that, the Ducks have the ball back.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Injury updates on Oregon stars
Oregon is now missing two of its top offensive weapons, WR Evan Stewart and RB Jordan James.
Dan Lanning told @Ianfitzespn on ESPN radio after halftime that star WR Evan Stewart got “banged up” during pre-game warm-ups. He didn’t play a snap in first half. Jordan James was being evaluated for a head injury in first half.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 2, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Touchdown Oregon!
Noah Whittington punches it in from the 2 as the Ducks try to chip away as this massive Ohio State lead.
Ohio State 34, Oregon 15
Ducks find paydirt#CFBPlayoff • #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/lqFYI6PSzy
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) January 2, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
First and goal for Oregon
Dillon Gabriel is moving around and making plays, and he's got the Ducks inside the 5 and threatening to score again.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Oregon moves the chains
The Ducks faced a 3rd and 22 and managed to convert after a 21-yard pass on third down set up a 4th-and-1, which Dillon Gabriel converted on a QB keeper.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Second half begins
Oregon will get the ball coming out of the locker room. It has a ton of work to do to get back into this one.
Let's see what the Ducks can do.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Touchdown Oregon
The Ducks finally stopped the bleeding as time expired in the first half. Dillon Gabriel capped off a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a short TD pass to Traeshon Holden.
They go for 2 and get it.
OSU 34, Oregon 8
Oregon puts a TD on the board as time expires to make it 34-8 at the half! 🦆
pic.twitter.com/YObwGKpffM— College Football Report (@CFBRep) January 1, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Ohio State settles for FG
Well the Ducks were able to hold the Buckeyes to a field goal at least. Jayden Fielding nails a 36-yard attempt to extend OSU's lead.
OSU 34, Oregon 0
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Oregon punts again
And Ohio State is closing in on another score. The Buckeyes are doing whatever they want early in this one.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Touchdown Ohio State!
It's a one-play drive for the Buckeyes as TreVeyon Henderson breaks off a 66-yard touchdown run on the next play from scrimmage.
OSU 31, Oregon 0
OHIO STATE LEADS 31-0!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/1m2VqQ4rBx
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) January 1, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Oregon punts it back to OSU
The Ducks just can't establish anything offensively and are forced to punt again.
There's still 9 minutes left in the second quarter.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Touchdown Ohio State!
The Buckeyes are running away with things in the Rose Bowl! QB Will Howard finds talented freshman Jeremiah Smith for a 43-yard touchdown — his second long TD of the game and Howard's third already.
What an incredible start for OSU.
OSU 24, Oregon 0
Jeremiah Smith's second TD and it's now 24-0 OSU pic.twitter.com/iZ4zax6ouU
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) January 1, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Oregon stuffed on fourth down at midfield
The Ducks were facing a fourth-and-4 at midfield and opted to go for it, but Dillon Gabriel's pass fell incomplete and the Buckeyes will take over.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Ohio State settles for FG
Jayden Fielding's 46-yard kick splits the uprights as the Buckeyes add to the lead.
OSU 17, Oregon 0
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Ohio State on the move again
The downfield passing game is working like a charm for the Buckeyes so far. They're inside the Oregon 30 again as the first quarter ends.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Oregon punts again
Oregon finally strung a couple first downs together but couldn't get much past midfield.
It's another empty drive as the Ducks are struggling to find their footing so far.
- Nick Bromberg
Where was this Ohio State team all year?
The deep passing game has been opened up so far in the College Football Playoff as the Buckeyes have a two-score lead over Oregon early.
Ohio State opened the season as the favorite to win the national title because of the talent assembled in Columbus over the offseason. But some uneven offensive performances during the regular season caused some — including yours truly — to question if this team was capable of winning it all. So far, Ohio State looks fantastic. But it's still really, really early in the Rose Bowl.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Ohio State touchdown!
Emeka Egbuka catches a 42-yard dart from Will Howard, and the Buckeyes are on fire early in this one!
Ohio State 14, Oregon 0
Emeka Egbuka in triple coverage for the touchdown!!! pic.twitter.com/SL2kFpXlrx
— College Football Live (@CollegeFBonX) January 1, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Oregon goes 3-and-out again
Two drives, two 3-and-outs for the Ducks. Ohio State also starting with great field position near midfield after a poor punt
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Oregon gets it back
Ohio State's promising second drive stalls just outside field goal range, and it's forced to punt.
Ducks ball.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Ohio State starting fast
While everyone was watching the end of the Peach Bowl, Ohio State ripped off a quick touchdown and stopped Oregon on its first possession.
The Buckeyes are having a dream start to this Rose Bowl.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Texas beats ASU in 2OT
After blowing a late 16-point lead, Texas winds up hanging on for a thrilling Peach Bowl win in double overtime. The Longhorns advance to the Cotton Bowl semifinal.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
TEXAS WINS IN 2OT!
Texas' Andrew Mukuba picks off ASU's Sam Leavitt near the goal line and that does it! What a game.
ANDREW. MUKUBA. EVERYONE.#HookEm | #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/XdPdLsm5dB
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) January 1, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Touchdown Ohio State!
Jeremiah Smith scores on a 45-yard catch-and-run from Will Howard and the Buckeyes strike quickly.
Ohio State 7, Oregon 0
JEREMIAH SMITH TD 🔥
OHIO STATE SCORES ON THEIR OPENING DRIVE‼️ pic.twitter.com/UC7BQAzReT— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 1, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Meanwhile, the Rose Bowl has kicked off
Ohio State begins with the ball against Oregon. These playoff games are officially overlapping!
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Texas TD to open 2OT!
On the first play of the 2nd OT, Quinn Ewers flips it to TE Gunnar Helm for a score! And the Longhorns convert on the required 2-point try. What a sequence for Texas.
Texas 39, ASU 31
Texas takes an 8 point lead in overtime #2!! pic.twitter.com/Duj7iP5Fam
— College Football Live (@CollegeFBonX) January 1, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Touchdown Texas!
Quinn Ewers finds Matthew Golden in the end zone on a FOURTH-AND-13 play! We're headed to a 2nd OT. Wow.
Texas 31, ASU 31
Texas TD. Insanity pic.twitter.com/V45Zx2mBlb
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) January 1, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Touchdown ASU!
Cam Skattebo POWERS his way into the end zone for a 3-yard score one play after Sam Leavitt scrambled for a first down on 3rd-and-15. Sun Devils just making all the clutch plays here.
ASU 31, Texas 24
WILL. NOT. BE. DENIED 😈#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/C8I7SMBKsx
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) January 1, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
ASU gets ball first in OT
The Sun Devils have begun their possession in overtime. Spot in the CFP semifinal on the line. Here we go.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
IT'S NO GOOD!
Texas kicker Bert Auburn pulls a 38-yard field goal left and it clangs off the upright as time expires.
ASU has life and we are headed to overtime!
Doinked to OT pic.twitter.com/qvulYakIWJ
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) January 1, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Game-winning kick attempt coming
The Longhorns have moved the ball inside the red zone and Bert Auburn will have a shot at winning it in regulation.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Texas on the march
The Longhorns have moved the ball out near midfield after a couple completions by Quinn Ewers.
There's 37 seconds left in the game.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
ASU forced to punt it back
The Sun Devils couldn't do too much with the ensuing possession and punted it back to Texas.
There's just 1:03 left in the game.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Texas misses field goal!
After some curious playcalling by Steve Sarkisian, the Longhorns were forced to settle for a 48-yard field goal attempt, which Bert Auburn missed to the right.
The Sun Devils will have the ball at their own 30-yard line with 1:39 left.
No Good. pic.twitter.com/0JnjHwFu2i
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) January 1, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Texas on the march
Now the Longhorns are moving the ball with ease. They're at the ASU 30 with a fresh set of downs as we hit the two-minute warning.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Skattebo converts on 2-point attempt!
WE ARE TIED! Cam Skattebo caps off the touchdown drive with a run on the two-point conversion and the Sun Devils are right back in this thing with 5 minutes to go.
What a comeback by Arizona State.
Texas 24, ASU 24
SKATTEBO TIES IT UP pic.twitter.com/0SW6AShDPS
— Heavens New Year! (@HeavensFX) January 1, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Touchdown ASU!
The Sun Devils are in the end zone and it's Cam Skattebo! This time he runs it in, driving his legs and pushing through multiple defenders to get into the end zone.
SKATTEBO GETS IN! pic.twitter.com/tET78IFgAn
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) January 1, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Skattebo catches long ball!
Is there anything this guy can't do? After throwing for a TD pass on the last possession, now he's caught a deep ball from Sam Leavitt and the Sun Devils are all the way down to the Texas 8-yard line.
That's a 62-yard catch and run by Skattebo.
Give me Cam Skattebo on the #Bears. I don’t care what it takes pic.twitter.com/hPRbpqViU9
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) January 1, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Interception ASU!
The Sun Devils have it right back! Texas QB Quinn Ewers put a little too much air under the ball and ASU's Javan Robinson came down with it.
Buckle up folks!
PICKED OFF!!! pic.twitter.com/HWOQM1N6SF
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) January 1, 2025
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Touchdown ASU!
The Sun Devils are finally in the end zone and it comes on a trick play pass from Cam Skattebo! The star RB lofted a ball up there and Malik McClain came down with it and ran it in for a 42-yard score.
The 2-point conversion was good, so it's now a one-possession game!
Texas 24, ASU 16
CAM SKATTEBO PASSING TOUCHDOWN! pic.twitter.com/BjGptIn2MT
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) January 1, 2025